Aurora withdrew her gaze from the couple and, linking her arm with Julian’s, suggested, “Julian, let’s not disturb them anymore. They have other guests to attend to. Let’s go.”
“As you wish,” Julian agreed, and they left together.
Susan and Hayden looked visibly upset. Why, of all people, did she choose Julian?
The attendees today were from the entertainment and business sectors, and many greeted Julian eagerly as they recognized him.
Among them were familiar faces and some business magnates, underscoring Julian’s high status.
“Not bad. You’re doing quite well!” Aurora whispered into his ear.
“Of course,” Julian replied playfully. “I wouldn’t dare to meet you if I weren’t. You called me by my name quite smoothly just now. Say it again. I want to hear it.”
Aurora, observing his expression and recalling his past, knew his sufferings well. From an illegitimate son to establishing his dominance in the business world, she was well aware of his struggles.
She and Asher had faced their own hardships in America, known only to them, and Julian didn’t take his father’s last name, indicating he wouldn’t leverage the Alvarez family’s connections.
Others saw only his peerless achievement, unaware of his true identity and the hardships he had endured.
Aurora suddenly remembered the day more than a decade ago when she had encountered him at sea, in danger. Had it not been for her ship, he might have perished.
She never asked how his ship had come to be wrecked, but even then, as a child, he was eerily calm.
Thinking over it now, along with his attitude towards the Alvarez family, it was clear he disliked, even despised, them.
His achievements today were all his own, affirming his promise to succeed before he would meet her again, a promise that was evidently sincere.
Perhaps striving to secure a better future for her, he had been working hard until he reappeared three years ago.
Although he seldom spoke of his past, Aurora, reflecting on it, felt a surge of emotions and gripped his hand tightly.
“Prince Julian.”
Julian, initially joking, didn’t expect Aurora to actually call him that. Hearing it, he was reminded of the little girl from years ago.
He looked into Aurora’s suddenly tender eyes, moved, and led her towards the balcony.
Aurora, merely sentimental at first, hadn’t anticipated reigniting his desire.
Meanwhile, a spirited elderly man nearby caught sight of Julian and Hayden’s standoff, puffing on a cigar.
“Who is that woman?”
“It seems she’s Mr. Hayden’s former girlfriend,” replied a bodyguard in a black suit respectfully.
The old man flicked his cigar, recalling Hayden’s past relationships. Considering Hayden’s young age then, such flings seemed normal.
He spent most of his time abroad and rarely inquired about Hayden’s affairs, not even knowing Aurora’s identity.
What concerned him was… “Since she’s Hayden’s ex-girlfriend, why is she now with Julian?” The old man’s gaze darkened.
“We don’t know,” the bodyguard answered.
“Look at her. Seducing men with such skill. Surely, the Alvarez family isn’t a place for just any commoner,” the old man snorted coldly. In his youth, he too was a man of great courage and strategy, having developed the Alvarez family to such heights and securing their position as the foremost among the four great families, all thanks to his efforts. Having dealt with countless people, he believed that Aurora was just another woman after money, seeking to marry into wealth. After being dumped by Hayden, she latched onto his younger son.
“Yes, the young master must be merely toying with her. How could it be serious?”
“Exactly, the woman Julian marries must come from a distinguished family, a true lady of high repute. These women are just for play, nothing more. Is Lindsay here yet?” The old man looked around.
“Miss Gilpin has not arrived yet.”
“When she does, have Julian come and spend some time with her, and I’ll take the opportunity to discuss his marriage,” the old master commanded coldly.
“Yes.”
Aurora was pulled by Julian to the balcony. “What are you doing? Why did you pull me away all of a sudden?” she asked, puzzled.
Julian did not reply until he closed the balcony door behind them. His kiss then descended passionately, and he breathed in her scent, unable to pull himself away.
“Aurora…” he murmured, his lips tracing a path from behind her ear down her graceful neck.
“Julian, have you gone mad?” Aurora panicked, realizing what he intended. Just the mention of him as “Prince Julian” had turned him on? Even though no one else was on the balcony now, who could guarantee it would stay that way?
Aurora felt frantic. Normally, she would blush just holding hands with Julian in public. This was beyond her wildest thoughts. She tried to push him away, but he clung to her as if magnetized, immovable.
“Aurora, I want you,” he said earnestly, his eyes filled with desire.
“Can’t we go home? Someone might see us here,” Aurora pleaded softly, not wanting to be too harsh, despite not understanding his sudden sexual desire.
“No, I want you now,” Julian insisted, as if possessed.
“Please, not here,” Aurora begged, constantly scanning the balcony, terrified of being seen.
“Call me ‘Prince Julian’,” Julian demanded, his desire inexplicable.
Reluctantly, Aurora acquiesced if only to calm him somewhat. “Prince Julian… Hmm…” His kiss landed hotly.
His lips fervently caressed hers, and the aroma of fine wine mingled between them. His hand ventured under her dress.
“Stop…” Aurora was genuinely scared now.
Suddenly, Hayden appeared behind them on what had just been an empty balcony. Aurora caught sight of the icy-faced man.
Initially, she wanted to push Julian away but stopped, thinking perhaps this was the only way he would understand her initial feelings on the day three years ago.
Her arms wrapped around Julian’s neck, no longer as resistant as before, her compliance fueling Julian’s desire further.
Julian had only planned a quick kiss before leaving, but her sudden willingness made him even more reluctant to stop.